A water toothbrush is a type of oral health tool that helps its user rinse out his or her mouth after brushing. Standard versions of these brushes create fountains when placed under tap water so that users can easily rinse their mouths. Power water toothbrushes use the same concept, except that they are operated with batteries. Other types of specialty toothbrushes manufacturers promise that their particular tools work with water to improve the efficacy of regular oral care. The best type of water toothbrush choice depends on an individual’s particular oral health needs, and a dentist might recommend the use of other products as well.
Tooth brushing is a relatively simple process, but it can get a little messy when it comes time to rinse the mouth of toothpaste and debris. Many people gather water with their hands from underneath the faucet of a sink, but others find it easier to use a tumbler. Some toothbrush manufacturers have identified the need to make rinsing easier and have created specific tools for such cases. The most basic style of water toothbrush is actually a manual version that has a hole in the handle that creates a fountain. This allows consumers to easily take in water from directly off the brush, rather than using their hands or a tumbler to rinse.
Certain types of power toothbrushes also utilize this feature, but the difference is that the tools require batteries to operate. Most automatically turn off after a designated amount of time, and then users can place the brushes underneath the tap to create the same fountain effect. Consumers should not rinse with the brush before it turns off, because this can create a mess.
Another type of water toothbrush is not particularly used for rinsing purposes, but the tool itself instead uses the liquid to maximize the brushing process. Some manufacturers of these toothbrushes claim that their special bristles work with water and toothpaste to increase the efficacy of plaque removal. These oral tools most often come in the form of power toothbrushes, which generally are much more expensive than traditional manual versions.
Oral tools were first designed thousands of years ago, so the water toothbrush is just one of the many types of brushes that have been created to help promote an easier teeth-cleaning process. Although the type of toothbrush chosen is an important step in oral health, there are other tools and products that a dentist might recommend to certain patients. Generally, most patients are encouraged to floss at least once a day to remove debris and plaque that even the best toothbrush cannot remove. Other patients might also require the use of special mouth rinses.
